Surface sucking apparatus and methods of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A surface sucking apparatus having a body and a plurality of legs. The body removably attachable to a vacuum hose. The body having a first portion, a second portion and a passageway extending therebetween for removing material. The plurality of legs positioned about the body so that the body is movable between a first position and a second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Industrial vacuums are well known for vacuuming various materials such as liquids, sludge, slurries, solids, etc., in a variety of industries. Typically, such a vacuum system is utilized with a truck and such materials are pulled through a vacuum hose by the air that is drawn through a vacuum pump and the materials are held in a holding area of the truck until evacuated.

The efficiency of such a system can be difficult due to the amount of suction required to suck up the materials. One problem created with such high suction is that while vacuuming the materials, the end of the vacuum hose may stick to the surface of the area on which the materials are located. Such high suction makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible for an individual to pull the stuck vacuum hose off of a surface. Thus, in order to remove the vacuum hose from the surface, the vacuum pump must be shut off. The delay caused by the removal of the vacuum hose may be very time consuming and have a direct impact to the cost of an operation due to the vacuum being turned on/off for periods of time.

To this end, although vacuum systems of the existing art are operable, further improvements are desirable and a need remains to provide a surface sucking apparatus that is capable of assisting with sucking the desired materials without sticking to a surface and a method of making and using such an apparatus to improve the safety, efficiency, and ease of vacuuming industrial materials. It is to such a surface sucking apparatus and method of making and using that at least one embodiment of the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a vacuum system used in the industrial vacuum industry, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved surface sucking apparatus to assist in vacuuming solid and liquid materials.

In at least one embodiment, a surface sucking apparatus includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions define a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the body. A portion of the second portion of the body has a plurality of legs for moving the body between a first position and a second position. The first portion has an attachment portion for attaching and removing a vacuum hose to the surface sucking apparatus for vacuuming a material. The second portion is provided with a collar for supporting the plurality of legs. A plurality of holes are provided about the collar, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is sized to receive at least one of the plurality of legs. Each of the plurality of legs is provided with a first end, a second end and at least one stop member to prevent the body from moving past the first end and the second end of the leg. In the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material. In the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.

In at least one embodiment, a surface sucking apparatus includes a body and a plurality of legs. The body has a first portion and a second portion defining a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the body. The plurality of legs are positioned about the body for moving the body between a first position and a second position. The first portion has an attachment portion for attaching and removing a vacuum hose to the surface sucking apparatus for vacuuming a material. The second portion is provided with a collar for supporting the plurality of legs. A plurality of holes are provided about the collar, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is sized to receive at least one of the plurality of legs. Each of the plurality of legs is provided with a first end, a second end and at least one stop member to prevent the body from moving past the first end and the second end of the leg. In the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material. In the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.

In at least one embodiment, a surface sucking apparatus is used to vacuum up a material. A vacuum hose is attached to an outlet of a surface sucking apparatus. The surface sucking apparatus is positioned on a surface having a material. A body of the surface sucking apparatus is moved along a plurality of legs. An inlet of the surface sucking apparatus is positioned near the surface having the material. In at least one embodiment, the body of the surface sucking apparatus is moved between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material. In the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.

In at least one embodiment, the material is vacuumed from a surface.

In at least one embodiment, the hose is removed from the surface sucking apparatus.

In at least one embodiment, moving the body of the surface sucking apparatus along the plurality of legs is manual.

In at least one embodiment, moving the body of the surface sucking apparatus along the plurality of legs is automatic.

In at least one embodiment, a fluid passageway is defined between the inlet and the outlet of the surface sucking apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a surface sucking apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, in a first position attached to a conventional vacuum truck.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface sucking apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the surface sucking apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the surface sucking apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a surface sucking apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown attached to a hose 12 of a conventional vacuum truck 14 to assist in vacuuming a material 15 on a surface 17. Materials typically vacuumed include solids, liquids, sludge, slurries, temperature sensitive materials and the like. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that although shown herein utilized with a conventional vacuum truck 14, the surface sucking apparatus 10 may be adapted to be utilized with a variety of vacuum-type vehicles and/or any other mobile or stationary vacuum system. It will be appreciated that vacuum trucks are well known in the art. It is not believed necessary to describe the vacuum truck 14 in further detail and is deemed sufficient for purposes of understanding the vacuum truck 14 in accordance with the surface sucking apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, no further description of the vacuum truck 14 components, assembly, construction, or operation is believed necessary for one skilled in the art to understand and implement at least one embodiment of the surface sucking apparatus 10 of the present disclosure.

Suitable materials for construction of the surface sucking apparatus 10 and any components thereof include polymeric materials, plastics, metals such as aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium or alloys containing these metals, woods, and/or composite materials, and/or any such materials which are capable of providing the desired strength and durability for the surface sucking apparatus 10. Further, it should be understood that the surface sucking apparatus 10 may be constructed from materials that may be water-resistant, anti-microbial, or waterproof, so that the surface sucking apparatus 10 may be easily cleaned and/or disinfected.

Additionally, it should be understood that the surface sucking apparatus 10 and/or portions thereof may be any shape, such as circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, quadrilateral, ellipsoidal and the like, for example. The surface sucking apparatus 10 may be rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, semi-flexible, foldable, collapsible, and the like. Further, it will be appreciated that the size and configuration of the surface sucking apparatus 10, and portions thereof, may vary widely dependent upon the size of the hose and of the type of material being vacuumed. It will be understood that the surface sucking apparatus 10 can be sized to be attached to any size hose in a manner so that the surface sucking apparatus 10 functions as described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, generally, the surface sucking apparatus 10 includes a body 16 and a plurality of legs 18. It is contemplated, in one embodiment, that the surface sucking apparatus 10 and/or the components thereof are constructed from multiple components and/or materials, however, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the surface sucking apparatus 10 and/or components may be constructed from a single component and/or material, as well.

The body 16 includes an exterior 20, an interior 22, an open first end 24, an open second end 26, a sidewall 28, and a passageway 30 extending between the first end 24 and the second end 26. The body 16 is constructed such to provide an internal pressure suitable to force a vacuumed material out of the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 into the hose 14 when a vacuum is applied.

The body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 has a first portion 32 and a second portion 34. In one embodiment, the first portion 32 of the body 16 is provided with an elbow portion 36 and the second portion 34 of the body 16 is provided with a collar 38. It should be understood that the elbow portion 36 may be sized and configured in various shapes so long as the first portion 32 functions as described herein and directs the material 15 to be vacuumed up. Further, the first portion 32 is provided with an attachment portion 40 for attaching and removing the hose 12 from the surface sucking apparatus 10 so as to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the attachment portion 40 and the hose 14. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any method and apparatus of removably attaching one object to another may be utilized, such as a snap-fit attachment, exterior clamping, or the like, so long as the attachment method functions in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure as described herein and removal attaches the hose 14 to the attachment portion 40 of the first portion 32 of the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10.

The collar 38 of the second portion 34 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 is provided with a plurality of holes 41 positioned about the collar 38 for receiving at least one leg 18. In one embodiment, the holes 41 are threaded for receiving at least one threaded leg 18. It should be understood that the collar 38, although shown herein as a circular-shaped portion, may be configured in a variety of shapes, such as oval, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, quadrilateral, ellipsoidal, and the like, for example, so long as the collar functions in accordance with at least one embodiment of the disclosed disclosure as providing support to at least one of the legs 18.

The passageway 30 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 extends between an inlet 50 at the second end 26 of the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 for receiving the material 15, and an outlet 52 at the first end 24 of the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 for outputting the material 15 from the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10. The passageway 30 may be sized and configured in a variety of sizes and shapes in order to receive any amount and type of material required for vacuum removal.

Each of the plurality of legs 18 has a first end 54 and a second end 56. Although shown in one embodiment being provided with a plurality of legs, it should be understood that the surface sucking apparatus 10 can be constructed utilizing at least one leg 18 so long as the surface sucking apparatus 10 functions in accordance with at least one embodiment of the disclosure as described herein. The plurality of legs 18 may be a variety of heights depending on the material to be vacuumed. Further, it should be understood that the legs 18 may be a constructed as part of the body 16 or may be constructed as a separate component that is attached to the body 16. Fasteners 58, such as a nut, are provided on opposing ends 54 and 56 of each leg 18 to act as a stop member. The stop member prevents the body 16 from moving past the first end 54 and the second end 56 of the leg 18 when the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 is moved between a first position (FIG. 2) and a second position (FIG. 4), as described in more detail hereinafter. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that although a nut is shown acting as a stopper, any fastener or other device attachable to the leg 18 may be utilized so long as the leg 18 functions as described herein and is movable between the first and second positions. Further, the legs 18 may be configured to move manually and automatically from the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 as well as, manually and automatically moving the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 along the legs 18 of the surface sucking apparatus 10. The body 16 is adjustable/movable at various distances between the inlet 50 and the surface 17 and the legs 18 are adjustable at various heights allowing for different air to flow material ratios. The surface sucking apparatus 10 is designed to not stick to any surface and eliminates risk of injury to a user or air mover equipment, such as blowers on air mover units.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the surface sucking apparatus 10 is movable between the first position (FIG. 2) and the second position (FIG. 4). In the first position, the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 is movable along the plurality of legs 18 such that the inlet 50 is lowered to be positioned near the surface 17 to vacuum up the material 15. In the second position, the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 is movable along the plurality of legs 18 such that the inlet 50 is raised to be positioned away from the surface 17.

In use, referring to FIGS. 1-4, the hose 14 is removably attached to the attachment portion 40 of the first portion 32 of the surface sucking apparatus 10. The surface sucking apparatus 10 is positioned on the surface 17 having the material 15 to be vacuumed. The surface sucking apparatus 10 is movable to the first position, if not already done, by moving the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 along the plurality of legs 18 such that the inlet 50 is lowered and positioned near the surface 17. The material is vacuumed up. During the vacuuming of the material 15, the surface sucking apparatus 10 may be moved into the second position by moving the body 16 of the surface sucking apparatus 10 along the plurality of legs 18 at various distances between the surface 17 and the inlet 50, such that the inlet 50 is raised to be positioned away from the surface 17.

Other embodiments of the surface sucking apparatus 10 may include the following features: (1) removable handle for transport; (2) adjustable legs having locking casters—for easy maneuvering; (3) sealed rotating bearing—so the upper portion of the apparatus can move 360°; (4) a lifting eye—for mechanical lifting up and down.

In various embodiments, the surface sucking apparatus 10 can be utilized in the following industries: power plants (coal burners, gas plants, trash burners—duct work, silos, trenches, pits, boilers, coal yards, sump pits, cooling towers); grain mills (elevators, silos, bunkers, pits, floors); waste water treatment plants (lagoons, pits, holding ponds, tanks, retaining vessels); oil field (mud pits, frac tanks, mixer tanks and spills); rail yards (rail cars and spills); municipalities (road resurface, man holes, lift stations); mines (shafts, elevators, tunnels), etc.

While at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is described herein utilized in an industrial application, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure may be readily applied to use in other applications and with other vacuum systems and other suitable devices. It should be understood that changes may be made in the operation and the setup of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure accordingly.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surface sucking apparatus, comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the body, a portion of the second portion of the body having a plurality of legs for moving the body between a first position and a second position.
 2. The surface sucking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion has an attachment portion for attaching and removing a vacuum hose to the surface sucking apparatus for vacuuming a material.
 3. The surface sucking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion is provided with a collar for supporting the plurality of legs.
 4. The surface sucking apparatus of claim 3, wherein a plurality of holes are provided about the collar, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is sized to receive at least one of the plurality of legs.
 5. The surface sucking apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of legs is provided with a first end, a second end and at least one stop member to prevent the body from moving past the first end and the second end of the leg.
 6. The surface sucking apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material and in the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.
 7. A surface sucking apparatus, comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion defining a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the body; and a plurality of legs positioned about the body for moving the body between a first position and a second position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion has an attachment portion for attaching and removing a vacuum hose to the surface sucking apparatus for vacuuming a material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second portion is provided with a collar for supporting the plurality of legs.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a plurality of holes are provided about the collar, wherein at least one of the plurality of holes is sized to receive at least one of the plurality of legs.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of legs is provided with a first end, a second end and at least one stop member to prevent the body from moving past the first end and the second end of the leg.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein in the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material and in the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.
 13. A method of using a surface sucking apparatus to vacuum up a material, comprising the steps of: attaching a vacuum hose to an outlet of a surface sucking apparatus; positioning a surface sucking apparatus on a surface having a material; moving a body of the surface sucking apparatus along a plurality of legs; and positioning an inlet of the surface sucking apparatus near the surface having the material.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: moving the body of the surface sucking apparatus between a first position and a second position.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein in the first position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is lowered to be positioned near a surface having a material and in the second position, the body is movable along the plurality of legs such that the inlet is raised to be positioned away from the surface.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: vacuuming the material from the surface.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: removing the hose from the surface sucking apparatus.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein moving the body of the surface sucking apparatus along the plurality of legs is manual.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein moving the body of the surface sucking apparatus along the plurality of legs is automatic.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein a fluid passageway is defined between the inlet and the outlet of the surface sucking apparatus. 